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INTRODUCTION

Bipartite and tripartite interactions (plant-insect-fungus) are the most fascinating subject matter in biology and such complex associations at different levels lead to difficulties in precise classification (e.g. parasitism, antagonism and mutualism). The genus Cordyceps (Ascomycota, Sordariomycetes, Hypocreales, Cordycipitaceae) consists of about 500 species distributed globally as endoparasitic fungi (Sung et al., 2007). Cordyceps spp. have the capacity to parasitize a wide range of insects and their larva resulting in production of a variety of morphologically distinct and diverse perithecia (Sung et al., 2007; Kepler et al., 2012). The fruit bodies of Cordyceps are the most expensive biological resource and an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine for the past two millennium (Jordan et al., 2008; Shrestha and Bawa, 2013; Dong et al., 2015). Several studies have

Ophiocordyceps blattae) have been reported on adult insects confirmed that fruit bodies of Cordyceps are endowed with a

(e.g. beetles) and larvae from the state of Maharashtra plethora of biologically active compounds and more

(Nanaware, 2002; Patil et al., 2014). During 2011-2012, specifically cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) possesses

Cordyceps nutans has been reported on the pentatomid bug therapeutic potential in immunomodulation, induction of

(Nezara viridula) in Tillari (Sindudurg District, Maharashtra) apoptosis, combat hyperlipidemia and useful in cancer

(Patil et al., 2014). Subsequently, Kumar and Aparna (2014) therapy (Wen et al., 2014; 2017). Structurally and

reported Cordyceps sp. on the coconut root grubs functionally versatile bioactive compounds were isolated

(Leucopholis coneophora) in the coconut plantations of from different Cordyceps (e.g. cordyanhydrides,

Kasargod (Kerala) followed by another Cordyceps sp. cordypyridones, cordytropolone, cycloaspeptide, epicoccin,

associated with the same root grubs in Kudlu (Kasargod gliocladicillin, trichocladinol, trichothecanes and

District, Kerala) as well as Sringeri (Chikmagalur District, spirotenuipesines) (Sharma, 2004; Isaka et al., 2005; Lo et al.,

Karnataka) (Prathibha, 2015). Ophiocordyceps nutans has 2013). In this communication occurrence of six Cordyceps

been reported by Sridhar and Karun (2017) on the pentatomid species on insects and larvae in the lateritic scrub jungles of

bug (Halyomorpha halys) in B'Shettigeri and Makutta southwest coast of Karnataka has been documented.

(Kodagu District, Karnataka). LITERATURE

FIELD SURVEY AND OBSERVATIONSIn the Indian Subcontinent, high altitude Himalayan regions

In routine explorations of macrofungi in the west coast of (e.g. Uttarkhand, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet) are the potential

India (2011 onwards), we found for the first time many habitats supporting a variety of Cordyceps species (Winkler,

Cordyceps parasitizing different insects and larvae in three 2008; Cannon et al., 2009; Shrestha and Bawa, 2013, 2014;

locations of the lateritic scrub jungles near Mangalore Quan et al., 2014; Baral et al., 2015; Negi et al., 2015; Baral,

(12º48'N, 74º55'E; 100-115 m asl) during the midst of 2017). In comparison, relatively there are seldom reports on

southwest monsoon (July-August 2018). General the Cordyceps in Western Ghats and west coast of India.

morphological features of the Cordyceps species collected are Cordyceps unilateralis parasitizing ants in the Western Ghats

given in Table 2 and Figure 1 (a-f). The first location in our from Balehonnur (Chikmagalur District, Karnataka) in 1961

study, from where four Cordyceps species were documented, seems to be the first report (Nag Raj, 1962) (Table 1). During

is a slope of thorny scrub jungle adjacent to Mangalore 2001-2008, four species of Cordyceps (Cordyceps

University Campus (Fig. 1b-e). In the second location, two forquignoni, C. militaris and C. superficialis and

Cordyceps were documented which is a plain with

KAVAKA 51: 20-22 (2018)

Are the scrub jungles of Southwest India potential habitats of Cordyceps?1 1 1, 2

H.R. Dattaraj , B.R. Jagadish , K.R. Sridhar * and S.D. Ghate 1Department of Biosciences, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Mangalore 574 199, Karnataka, India2Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be) University, Derlakatte, Mangalore 574 018, Karnataka, India*Corresponding author Email: kandikere@gmail.com(Submitted on September 15, 2018; Accepted on December 10, 2018)

ABSTRACT

During routine survey of macrofungi, six species of Cordyceps were recovered in the scrub jungles of southwest Karnataka. Reports on occurrence of Cordyceps and allied species in the Western Ghats and southwest coast are documented with comments on the Cordyceps recorded in this preliminary study.

Keywords: Ascomycetes, Cordycepitaceae, entomophagous fungi, Western Ghats, southwest coast

Table 1: Entomophagous Cordyceps spp. recorded from southwest India (?, not defined).

Host Location ReferenceCordyceps forquignoni (Peck) Sacc.

? ?, Maharashtra cf. Patil et al. (2014)

Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr. ? ?, Maharashtra cf. Patil et al. (2014)Cordyceps nutans Pat. Nezara viridula

(Pentatomidae)

Tillari, Maharashtra Patil et al. (2014)

Cordyceps superficialis (Peck) Sacc.

Larvae of Torrubia superficialis

(Coleoptera)

Malkapur, Maharashtra

Nanaware (2002)

Cordyceps unilateralis (Tul. & C. Tul.) Sacc.

Ants (Formicidae)

Balehonnur, Karnataka

NagRaj (1962)

Cordyceps sp. Leucopholis coneophora (Scarabaeidae)

Kasargod, Kerala Kumar and Aparna (2014)

Cordyceps sp. Leucopholis coneophora (Scarabaeidae)

Kasargod, Kerala

Prathibha (2015)Sringeri, Karnataka

Prathibha (2015)Ophiocordyceps blattae (Petch) Petch

Adult insect and dead larvae

Panhala, Maharashtra

Nanaware (2002)

Ophiocordyceps nutans (Pat.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora

Halyomorpha halys (Pentatomidae)

B'Shettigeri, Karnataka

Sridhar and Karun (2017)

Makutta, Karnataka Sridhar and Karun (2017)

dominance of trees of Terminalia paniculata (Fig. 1a, d, f), and endemism between the Himalayas and the Western Ghats. while from the third location which is a medicinal garden of Sridhar and Karun (2017) argued that Ophiocordyceps Mangalore University, only one species of Cordyceps was sinensis in the high altitude cold climatic conditions of documented (Fig. 1c). One of these species (probably C. Himalayas and O. nutans in the high altitude warm climatic militaris) was most common (Fig. 1d), three were frequent conditions of Western Ghats might have evolved (Fig. 1c, e, f) and two were rare (Fig. 1a, b). During the period simultaneously. Occurrence of Cordyceps and allied species of collection in sampling locations (July-August 2018), the in the Western Ghats (previous and present study yielded 14-humidity, air temperature and soil temperature ranged from 15 species) similar to Himalayas opens up ample 81-85%, 26-27ºC and 24-25ºC, respectively. This is the first opportunities to explore the evolutionary lines of Cordyceps report of morphologically distinct species of Cordyceps in these two hotspots of biodiversity. Sigdel et al. (2017) have occurring in a narrow stretch of geographic location of the correlated the occurrence of Cordyceps in Nepal with soil lateritic scrub jungles of southwest coast of India. nutrients, vegetation and insect population. There is plenty of

scope for future investigations with collective efforts DISCUSSION(agronomists, botanists, entomologists and mycologists) to

There is a drastic difference in the geology, climatic expose the extent of diversity of entomopathogenic fungi in conditions, altitudinal regimes, wild life, phytogeography the Western Ghats and southwest India. Further studies on the

Table 2: Cordyceps spp. located in the lateritic scrub jungles of southwest Karnataka (+++, most common; ++, frequent; +, rare).

Fig. 1. Cordyceps species grown on insects and larva: On grass hopper (a); on yellowish larvae (b); on purple larvae (c); on oval-shaped cocoon and insect (black arrow) (d); on spherical cocoon (e); on unknown adult insect (f) (Scale bar: 1 cm).

21H.R. Dattaraj, B.R. Jagadish, K.R. Sridhar and S.D. Ghate

Feature Location Cordyceps sp. 1 (Fig. 1a) (+) Light yellowish-white unbranched

perithecia on a grass hopper (arrow) Terminalia paniculata -dominant plain scrub jungle

Cordyceps sp. 2 (Fig. 1b) (+) Deep yellowish-white branched perithecia on a larvae (arrow)

Slope of mixed scrub jungle

Cordyceps sp. 3 (Fig. 1c) (++) Deep violet branched perithecia on a purple larvae (arrow)

Slope of mixed scrub jungle and plain medicinal garden

Cordyceps sp. 4 (Fig. 1d) (+++)

Deep yellow branched perithecia on oval cocoon (white arrow) of unknown insect (black arrow)

Slope of mixed scrub jungle and Terminalia paniculata -dominant plain scrub jungle

Cordyceps sp. 5 (Fig. 1e) (++) Deep red branched perithecia on a spherical cocoon (arrow)

Slope of mixed scrub jungle

Cordyceps sp. 6 (Fig. 1f) (++) Whitish branched perithecia on an adult insect (arrow)

Terminalia paniculata -dominant plain scrub jungle

morphology and molecular systematics of Cordyceps species sinensis [Berk.] G.H. Sung et al.) in Pithoragarh collected are in progress in our laboratory. District, Uttarakhand, India. Mountain Research

and Development 35: 382-391. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSPatil, A., Dangat, B.T. and Patil, M.S. 2014. Cordyceps nutans The authors are indebted to Mangalore University and the

Pat., A new record to India. Science Research Department of Biosciences (Biotechnology) for Reporter 4: 64-66.encouragement to carry out this study. We are thankful to Mr.

Vishnu, S. (Department of Marine Geology) and Mr. Girish Prathibha, P.S. 2015. Behavioral Studies of Palm White Kumar G.S. (Department of Biosciences), Mangalore Grubs Leucophol is spp. (Coleoptera : University for keen interest and meticulous help in field visits. Scarabaeidae) and Evaluation of New Insecticides

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22 Are the scrub jungles of Southwest India potential habitats of Cordyceps?